Workflow Prioritization System for Freight Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional processes for handling repairs and maintenance of freight vehicles lack efficient prioritization methods, leading to delays in scheduled delivery times, increased costs, and excess emissions.
Innovation Solution
A network-based system and method that prioritizes work orders for maintenance operations using a scoring system based on timing data, such as delivery schedules and remaining drive time, to optimize the workflow and reduce delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If work orders are organized by hand based on first come, first served basis, then the process is simple and easy to operate, but delivery delays occur and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical work order organization with an automated computer-based system that processes work orders electronically. The system automatically calculates priority scores based on delivery time windows and driver hours of service, eliminating the need for manual sorting while reducing delivery delays and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a priority scoring system that changes the parameter for work order organization from simple chronological order to a calculated priority score based on multiple factors including delivery time windows, driver hours of service, and work order type. This parameter transformation enables optimized scheduling that reduces delivery delays while maintaining system simplicity.
2Device complexity
If work orders are organized by hand without considering timing data, then the process is simple, but costs and emissions increase due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual work order processing with an automated electronic system that calculates priority scores based on timing data and driver hours of service. This automated approach minimizes emissions by reducing idle time and ensuring timely deliveries without requiring complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating priority scores and determining work order sequences based on embedded algorithms that consider delivery time windows and driver constraints. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in scheduling decisions, reducing emissions while maintaining acceptable system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If drivers wait for next available delivery window, then work orders can be processed in any order, but time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating priority scores for work orders based on delivery time windows and driver hours of service before deliveries occur. This advance scheduling ensures that work orders are processed in the optimal sequence, eliminating waiting time and maximizing productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated scoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamics by continuously monitoring driver hours of service and delivery time windows, then dynamically adjusting work order priority scores and processing sequences. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal productivity at all times while maintaining operational simplicity through automated real-time calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for prioritizing work orders including determining a score based on timing data and compare the determined score of the subject vehicle to one or more other scores associated with one or more other vehicles. The system includes generating an updated list of work orders based on the scores and displaying the updated list on a graphical user interface of an electronic device.